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A memorial service or funeral is a time to celebrate the life of a deceased loved one. Family and friends will gather, and a remembrance table can be used to honor the memories of the one who died. The remembrance table should contain items as unique as the one it honors. In addition to photographs or a scrapbook, gather items that represent the passions and hobbies of the family member you are honoring. These visual clues will help spark stories and memories among those who attend the service and will aid the grieving process.

Table Set Up

1

Place the remembrance table in a prominent area near the entry so that all guests will have an opportunity to view it. Choose a table large enough to hold your chosen items without crowding them.

2

Cover the table with a clean, ironed tablecloth. If the deceased loved to quilt, using a quilt as the tablecloth would be appropriate.

3

Start at the back of the table and display the largest item there. Use an art easel to hold a scrapbook or other meaningful items, such as a painting, sculpture or needlework.

Adding Smaller Details

1

Pin medals or smaller items to pieces of fabric to make them more visible and to be certain they don't get lost. Encase the fabric in a shadow box.

2

Add flowers or potted plants to soften the look of the table. If the table is large, use several arrangements of flowers. If not, set larger arrangements on the floor at the side of the remembrance table.

3

Light a few candles as long as they are contained in glass for safety or use a small decorative lamp to add ambiance. Place a large candle on either side of a framed picture of the deceased to give the picture more focus.

4

Leave a guest book and pen on the table where all can reach it. Make sure there is enough room in the book for them to add a message if they'd like to. If the table is low, use a separate podium for the guest book.

5

Label important features of your table with 3 by 5 inch index cards to explain the significance of each item. Pin the cards onto clothing or other items that may be hanging or place them in front of items sitting on the table.

Things You Will Need

Tablecloth

Photographs or scrapbooks of the deceased

Easel

3 by 5 cards (optional)

Newspaper items

Hobby cues such as sports, quilting or art items

Uniforms, medals or favorite item of clothing

Shadow box

Candles

Potted plant or display of flowers

Guest book

Tip

Ask several family members to help with the remembrance table to acquire more pictures and mementos.

Warning

Don't use candles with an open flame. If glass containers for candles are not available, battery-operated candles are an option.

About the Author

Clare Bills is a writer, speaker and artist living in Ames, Iowa. She holds three Bachelor of Arts degrees, as well as a Master of Science in journalism/public relations. Bills worked in public relations for more than 15 years and now writes for several magazines and online sites. She is also the author of a foodblog: Nana Clare's Kitchen.